Buried Feelings

One week after their fateful encounter, Minato Tanaka is already second guessing the promise he made to Sakura.

But not because of the responsibilities that came with the commitment to helping her start a new life. What bothers him is how annoying she can be at times.

As Minato expected, her claims of being an “ancient plant-princess” are proven to him throughout the week. No matter the condition of the plants in the shop, one touch from Sakura restored them all to a healthier state in a matter of seconds, which surprised Minato, considering one of them had previously self-immolated. Even after a recently harsh winter, it beckoned to customers that were eager to purchase plants they deemed prettier. Because of this, Minato neglected it.

The help is much appreciated; it’s part of the deal they made, after all.

The more she uses her abilities, however, the more her ego shows itself. A shift where they worked together couldn’t even finish, without her attempting to take control of the situation and do everything herself--something Minato secretly finds a little hot, but would never straight up tell her.

It’s only on the final day before school starts that Sakura agrees to work with him on an arrangement. According to Granny Haru, every year since 2009, she gets an order for a red spider lily bouquet from an anonymous client. Despite them always mailing the payment ahead of time, she claims to have never met them in person, which is something that Minato suspects is a lie, due to how secretive his grandmother can be. In Japanese culture, red spider lilies represent death. Mainly displayed at funerals as a way to symbolize the final words those in mourning weren’t able to say to the departed.

(Ding-ding-ding!)

“Careful! If you hold them so carelessly, you’re just going to end up bruising the petals.” When the chime at the door goes off, Minato warns Sakura not to jeopardize all of their hard work.

“Pfft. You say that as if I can’t just fix them if I do! Just go ahead and take care of the customer, I got this!”

Shaking his head wryly, Minato exits the backroom, just in time to hear someone pleading.

“I hope we’re not too late! I know that the store closes in like ten or so minutes, but please let us slide this one time! We had just gotten back from eating lunch together!”

Minato doesn’t even need to look to identify who the mystery client's voice belongs to. Such a voice has been part of his daily routine since his childhood, so the fact that his grandmother hid this customer's identity from him is like a cruel joke.

S-Sayori is the mystery client! God damnit old woman, why don’t you ever tell me anything?!

Despite his thought process, he can’t exactly be angry. He knows that this isn’t the first time his grandmother has attempted something like this. You’d think that after telling her Sayori’s in a relationship so many times, that Granny Haru would stop trying to hook us up. It’s really my own fault at this point. I should’ve expected something like this to happen eventually. Though he’s surprisingly lax about the situation, a strange heat originating in his chest spreads throughout his body. Comparable only to a thousand needles burrowing through his skin. Was it always this hot in here? He asks himself, pulling at his shirt’s collar in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

The worried expression on his face proves to be enough to warrant a reaction from Sakura. “I know that look anywhere! You totally got a crush, don’t you!” She exclaims, pointing a finger to Minato.

“No, you got the wrong idea! Sayori’s just a friend! Besides, she’s in a relationship now so even if I still had feelings for her, there’s no way in hell I’d stand a chance!”

Though he tries to explain, his logic only proves to validate Sakura’s. Without any warning she grabs hold of Minato’s hand. Though he tries to resist, the gap in their strength is enough for her to overpower him, and their fingers intertwine.

“Sounds like someone’s in need of a little encouragement. I think I know just the thing, but don’t you dare get used to it.”

Wait, she couldn’t possibly mean…? The way she presents herself at this moment reminds Minato of how she behaved at the park. Gone are her egocentric behaviors, her focus is now dead set on Minato. For once, her breaths have weight to them, and her face has blushed a bright pink. Okay, if this means what I think it means, it’s time to nut up! I have a certified baddie standing right in front of me wanting me to kiss her! On top of that, she’s encouraging me to try my hand at a different girl! Other guys would kill to be in my shoes right now! Besides, I’ve already kissed her once before. This shouldn’t really be that hard of a task. Having realized what he must do, Minato closes his eyes and leans forward prepared to seal the deal. Letting his guard like this turns out to be his biggest mistake. Not even one inch before their lips meet, Sakura pulls herself closer to his ear to whisper “Gotcha~”.

Before he can even process the situation, Sakura slings her arm forward sending Minato spinning out of the room.

(Crash!)

Minatos frail body drapes itself halfway over the counter. Various items, ranging from paperwork to a lonely plant that had been moved in hopes that it’d receive more attention have been knocked over. God, my chest is killing me. He thinks to himself, groaning in pain.

Just breathe, Minato, you have to act cool. I know this one hundred percent isn’t a good look, but Sayori will understand! She’s still your friend after all so you need to just relax, he reminds himself, calming down enough to look up.

“Oh hey, Sayori how are you-?” His words catch in his throat as a shadow looms over him.

Before him is a man standing at least six feet in height. The way that his dark green hair hangs down to his shoulders, bundled up in a ponytail, makes him the sophisticated type. The type of person who could kick your ass, but is still courteous enough to apologize and try to befriend you after. In simpler words, this guy exudes raw main character energy. The way that his violet eyes gaze almost lovingly into Minato’s is enough to leave him speechless.

The man in question standing in front of Minato with Sayori clinging onto his arm is Ryonosuke Akuji, a 17-year-old exchange student. Though he’s said to be from a different prefecture, Ryonosuke has never confirmed or denied the claims. It’s not a surprise that Minato knows little about him, having only seen the pictures of him and Sayori together on social media. So, finally crossing paths with him leaves him with an overwhelming feeling of defeat.

Oh god, why does he have to be so much hotter than me! Like, I’m not even into guys! At least I don’t think I am? Never mind that! This guy looks like he could easily pass as the rebellious lead singer of an idol group! No wonder she agreed to date him!

Minato’s fascination with meeting the man he spent all summer envying comes to a screeching halt the moment Ryo’s hand gently lifts him by the chin. “Ah, you must be the Minato guy Sayori here has been telling me about! I gotta admit, you look exactly how I pictured you would!”

Ryo speaks with an air of confidence, treating Minato as one would when reuniting with an old friend. “Uh yeah..” Minato states, uncomfortably looking down at Ryonosuke’s hand. Something that Ryo must have picked up on, due to how quickly he lifts it from Minato’s frame.

“Ah, where are my manners?” Ryonosuke asks, throwing his hands to the air. “It is quite rude of me to lay my hands on somebody I just met! It’s how we greet people where I’m from so I’m still getting used to the local customs. Anyways, we’re here to pick up Sayori’s order. I trust that everything has been handled well?”

As if on cue, the moment he utters those words, the door to the back room slams open. Standing in the entrance holding the bouquet above her head is Sakura. “It’s finally finished! The fact that you really believed that I was capable of messing it up is just hilarious!” She states, sticking her tongue out at Minato.

“Oh, this must be the reason you called me earlier in the week asking if I had any spare panties?” Sayori questions, noticing that Sakura is wearing one of her old outfits.

“I thought it was weird at first why you needed my old clothes, but I figured it was for a good cause. We’ve known each other for so long that I know you’re not some kind of pervert.” Sayori has always been the naive type, something that gets her in way more trouble than she can handle. So, even though her words are meant to reassure him, she is oblivious to the fact that they killed Minato a little inside.

“Of course I’m not a damn pervert! You’re like a little sister to me!” Minato pleads, knowing deep down that he sees her as way more. The sparkle in her eyes diminishing is enough to show Minato the error of his ways. Lowering his voice, he explains, “Anyways. That’ll bring you up to about five thousand yen. Granny Haru told me to lower the price because you’re one of her loyal customers.” He waves his hand as a way to gesture that everything is fine.

“Right, I should have my card here somewhere.”

As Sayori reaches into her purse to pay, Ryonosuke cannot help but find himself captivated by Sakura. Looking at her the way one would look when attempting to remember where exactly they knew someone from.

Before he can continue this thought, Sakura breaks his concentration. “Here ya go! Me and Minato worked pretty hard to make sure that these came out exactly the way y'all wanted them to in your order! I gotta say though, I did all of the heavy lifting.” She boasts, leaning over the counter to offer him the bouquet.

He does so hesitantly, something Sakura seems to notice due to how fast he’s able to collect himself. “Thank you so very much. I’m sure that Sayori’s brother will appreciate these!” He nods, gently grabbing hold of the bouquet. “My name is Ryonosuke by the way! Would it be all right if I ask for your name? I’m still getting used to this area and I would greatly appreciate making a new friend.”

What kind of guy hits on someone in front of his girlfriend? Minato thinks.

“My name is Sakura Chiba! Unfortunately, though, I’m going to have to decline your proposal. Please don’t take it personally, it’s just that with my new position here I won’t really have as much time for friendships as I’d like!”

She says, forcing a smile.

“Ah, well that’s a shame. But it can’t be helped, I guess. Friendship has always been something earned, after all.” The way that he presents himself is that of someone who has everything he could ever desire in life. Even in the face of rejection, Ryonosuke can’t help but shrug it off.

“We really should get going,” Sayori says, tugging on his shirt sleeve. “It’s getting pretty late and there’s still one more thing that me and Ryo need to do before we go our separate ways for the night. So, we’re gonna leave you two alone so that you can close down the store.” The two walk to the exit. “Oh, and, Minato? Do your best not to be late. It’s going to be the first day of your last year in high school so I expect you to give it your all!” Having known each other since their early childhood, she knows that Minato had a history of skipping classes.

“That’s right, school does start tomorrow, doesn’t it? To think that I really wasted spring break stressing over small things,” Minato says as he takes a seat.

“Maybe stressing was the right thing to do though.” Sakura sighs, sitting beside him on the counter. “I mean, sure that guy’s attractive, but you can’t really base how someone is on just their looks, y’know? He may be a genuinely good guy, but you can never truly know how someone really is deep down.”

Relief comes from Minato as he turns to face Sakura. He spent all break with a gut feeling that Ryonosuke was bad news, but decided to bottle in his feelings due to the belief that it may just be from his jealousy toward the guy.

“I suppose you’re right. It just feels like someone that perfect has to be hiding something. Still, as long as he isn’t hurting her in any way there’s not much we can do about it. Today really shouldn’t be the day to think about this kind of thing anyways. I think I may have realized what the flowers are for.”

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

As she stands at the entrance to Aoyama Cemetery alongside Ryo, Sayori recalls one of her first visits. During the spring of 2010, news stations all around Japan predicted that the week-long rain would usher in the weather needed for plants to bloom once more after a harsh winter. Though drenched by the above showers, a young girl finds herself kneeling in the mushy terrain speaking to a gravestone. “Hey, big bro. It’s me, Sayori. I know you’re busy sleeping, but I wanted to come by and visit you again.” She sets a bouquet of red spider lilies on top of a patch of dirt. “I miss you a lot. Mom and dad say things like ‘you’re never coming back,’ and that I should stop visiting you, but I ain't gonna listen to any of that! You’re just resting here for a while. You wouldn’t just abandon your family! So I’m going to prove them wrong and visit you every year until you’re ready to finally come back home!”

Even though her childlike nature prevents her from fully comprehending the concept of death, deep down she knows that such a future may never come. A strange wetness streams down her face. Believing it to just be the rain, she looks up surprised. Her view of the sky is obstructed by the interior of what appears to be a striped umbrella.

“Hey, are you all right?” Offering his hand to her is a young boy no older than ten. “Me and my Granny were walking back to our shop and we saw you all alone here and wanted to make sure you were okay,” he states, gesturing to the middle-aged woman standing by the entrance to the cemetery.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answers weakly, grabbing hold of his hand. “I was just visiting my brother, Naoto. He’s been sleeping since last year, so I made a promise to visit him every now and then so that he won’t get too lonely.”

“Oh I see...” Turning his gaze to the stone, Minato reads Naoto Nagisa.

“He must have been a really good big brother if you’re out here risking a cold for him.” Her ears perk up to this response. “He was the best!” She cheerfully exclaims. Having lost both of his parents a year prior in a drunk driving accident, Minato is aware of the fact that this stranger's brother isn’t just sleeping. Still, he’s mature enough to know that it isn’t his place to reveal the truth to her.

“I bet he was huh? Well, my Grandma’s going to be making her specialty tonight, you should come by and grab a plate. Maybe tomorrow if he smells how good the left-overs are, he might wake up to join us!”

His words were enough to bring life back to Sayori’s eyes. “Do you really mean that!” Without giving it much thought, she leaps up and hugs Minato.

The moment she does so, he blushes a bright red. “Of course I do. Just the smell of Granny Haru’s cooking might even be enough!” he declares with a bravado so fake that Granny Haru can’t help but laugh. Still holding onto her hand, Minato leads her away from the gravesite. “I don’t think I caught your name yet, though. Mine’s Minato Tanaka. What’s yours?”

“Sayori, Sayori Nagisa.” They didn’t know at the moment, but encountering each other at this time would ultimately lead to them forming a life-long friendship.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※

As Sayori lays the recently-purchased bouquet on top of Naoto’s tombstone, she thinks on these past memories. “You know it’s kind of funny. The only other person that I’ve brought to visit Naoto has been Minato. But he’s been too busy lately so I didn’t want to bother him. Having to be in charge of the store due to his grandmother's health must be taking a real toll on him. What do you think, Ryo?” she asks, turning to face her boyfriend.

To her surprise, however, Ryonosuke’s nowhere in sight.